Workshop on “Prevention Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse-Education, Awareness and Grievances Procedure” held at XISS

Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi organized a two-day workshop cum training on “Prevention Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse-Education, Awareness and Grievances Procedure” from 15-16 September, 2022. This workshop was organized for all faculty, staff and first year students.

Resource Person of the workshop, Advocate Navmallika Gupta, legal practitioner at Supreme Court of India, is a Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) certified trainer. A total of four sessions were held during the workshop.

On the first day of the workshop Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS in his welcome address said that ICC is an important part of the Institution, and we are committed to prevent any sexual exploitation, spread awareness and create a safe environment for communication for all.

Ms Gupta during the workshop discussed the elements which constitutes ‘sexual harassment’ in detail using audio and visual means and shared various cases with the participants to facilitate their understanding of the same. She also elaborated the difference between sex and gender, ways to eliminate gender inequality and various laws enacted in India for the women workers.

On day two, during the second session, Dr Amar E Tigga, Dean Academics in his welcome address to the students, reiterated the importance of awareness regarding issues pertaining to sexual harassment. Dr Pradeep Kerketta SJ, Assistant Director, XISS apprised the participants about the objective and rationale of the Workshop-cum-Training session, and the necessity of an Internal Complaints Committee in XISS. Dr Madhumita Singha, Presiding Officer, ICC, XISS and other members Dr Amit Kumar Giri, Dr Pooja, Ms Koyel Mukherjee and Mr Harshvardhan facilitated the workshop.